...What have I done?
It has barely been a day and Martial Kim found himself constantly replaying the events in his head. What could he have done, what should he had done, what more could he salvage to fix the situation. But every time he came to a happy conclusions...
The more he realized, it will never happy.
The realization was too heavy for him to stand on it, so he collapsed sitting down with his face buried in his dirty hands.
I failed her. How could this have happened? What did I do wrong, for her to receive my punishing karma? Everything, I tried everything. Why, why am I the only one left alive right now?
Martial Kim had faced death too often, to the point where he developed a thick skin to it all. However, there was something about this one mishap, that stabbed him in the heart deeper than any wound he received in his life as a warrior.
I hesitated. I was too slow. Now, it cost her life. Who was she; who was her family; what did life had to offer for her – all gone because I was afraid of repeating a silly mistake. I should have leapt in the moment I saw her suffering. There is no excuse for what happened.
Shameful, most shameful.
Even when his mind wished for a miracle from the heavens, perhaps a divine entity filled with pity and appearing to revive the poor victim. It seemed, much like most of his cultivation powers, nothing so grandiose was ever going to happen any time soon.
Where is this place? How could there not be a village nearby? Or even an Imperial scouting post. Surely there should be some other people living in these mountains?...
Martial Kim heaved a heavy sigh, the cold air piercing his throat and lungs, and he glanced at the woman beside him – no longer rolling around in pain.
Should I bury her? It is the least I can do, or else the wolves and birds desecrate her body. She deserves a proper burial. The moment I can find proper authorities, or even the magistrate who controls this area, I will report her location... Ah. What do I even write on her grave marker? I cannot call her, the nameless victim.
Before Martial Kim could decide what to do next – his sensitive hearing picked up the sound of rustling. Like something moving through the shrubs, stepping on layers of crusted leaves, and a heavy mass heaving up a slope. Definitely not the four legged paws of an animal.
Someone is coming? I wonder, who could it be? Keekee? Did she happen to hear me?
Soon, a shape climbed over the other end of the trash pit and Martial Kim called out, “Keekee! Is that...Oh? Beggar Sect?”
The young master came face to face with a man in dirty, rags, and stray hair that fell over like a crown of weeping willow branches. The drifter wore nothing but rags and had a series of colour objects around his head and hanging off his neck - like some kind of crown and scarf. The words POPSI, COCA COOL, EIGHT PLUS, DR. ZIPPER, and so on barely legible with how crushed they were as if stamped to death under a foot.
Oh thank the heavens! Martial Kim cheered in his heart. Who would have thought the Beggar Sect would have influence in this region! They have many spies and informants, perhaps I can borrow them to send a message to the nearest town - or call a Judge to dispatch their court constables to collect the victim.
"Disciple of the Beggar Sect! I am Martial Kim of Moon Tavern. I seek for your aid! Please send a message to--"
"OI YOU! GET OUT OF ME TRASH YA MAGGOT! Beggar Sect my arse!"
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Martial Kim’s eyes widen, "...Wh-what?"
The beggar stormed over, wading through the trash like it were his own pool of water, and was waving his fist around in fury! "This is me trash, ya here! Get yer own trash heap! This is mine! Mine! Mine! Mine!"
"W-wait. There is a misunderstanding," Martial Kim called out as he tried to approach the beggar, "I mean no disrespect. I need your help. Please contact--"
"Get out of ma property or...Oh...Oh...Oh Jesus Christ!"
"Wh-who?"
"MURDERER! M-MURDERER!"
Martial Kim blinked. Did the killer come back!?
There us no one behind me. I see neither the killer nor their horseless horse wagon anywhere. It is just us: the woman, him, and myself. Who could the beggar disciple be referring...Oh no.
"YOU! M-MURDERER! OH JESUS CHRIST! OR LORD ALMIGHTY! HELP! HEEEELP! MURDEREEEEER!"
"W-Wait, Beggar Disciple! There is a misunderstanding! Stop running! I truly seek your aid!"
Martial Kim gave chase. He didn't want to leave the corpse behind like this, but if he didn't nip this problem in the bud it's going to grow into more trouble than he hoped for.
However, he didn't expect the beggar to be so quick and nimble. The man just wove through the woods, ducking over and under the roots and scrambling through the logs like some kind of obstacle race course. No doubt he knew the mountains like the back of his hands.
Why, why is this happening of all times!?
Martial Kim will never know the answer. It was only a matter of time before he lost sight of the beggar, his one hope to asking the right question just vanishing like a rat in the house.
When Martial Kim caught himself panting, it was already nightfall.
I wasted too much time... Where did I go wrong? What have I done for the woman to bear my sin?
Dejected, he would leap back to return to her. Even in his return, he tried to find any sign of life of house in the trees so he could call for local assistance... Nothing. Absolutely--
What is that noise? I-I never heard anything like it! I-its coming towards me mighty fast, but which direction!?
A strange shriek wailed through the woods, followed by the radiance of red and blue explosions. Martial Kim watched in horror as this light and noise raced through the forest at high speed, faster than any animal he had ever seen.
When he tried to check it out.
WIIIIIIIIII-WOOOOOOOOOO! WIIIIIIIIII-WOOOOOOOOOO! WIIIIIIIIII-WOOOOOOOOOO! WIIIIIIIIII-WOOOOOOOOOO! WIIIIIIIIII-WOOOOOOOOOO!
Good gods, this howling is inhuman!
Out of instinct, he fell flat across the ground in the tall grass, dodging the red and blue light and the pounding shriek that races over him. He felt his heart leapt into his throat with how hard the earth rumble, only to disappear in a flash!
A banshee? A demon? Th-the very bark it makes shakes my soul! I need a better look, at a safe distance.
Only when the coast was clear, Martial Kim kicked off from his spot in the woods to sail up! Higher and higher until he found a tall tree for him to perch himself upon. A bird’s eye view.
Immediately he spotted a single pocket of light up in the deep dark mountains up yonder. Even from afar, he could pick out the shapes of people marching around the trash pit he left behind, all searching through the bushes and garbage pile. Some of them were all peering over the victim’s body, who had been left out open.
Martial Kim saw something bright and yellow snake around the field, setting a flashing border between light and dark. Meanwhile, the others seemed to follow the instructions of a bald man, who coordinated efforts to search the lite forest for what the young master believed to be evidence.
Are they locals? How could they live this deep in the mountain when I could see no village within miles. What are they all doing to the woman... Such odd uniforms, not that I notice them. Oh? They are examining the body... I wonder, are they the local constabulary? Did the Beggar Disciple tip them off?
Questions filled his mind, but it wasn’t enough to distract him from the shame and guilt of what happened today. The young master knew, a single mistake could topple an entire formation of trust and confidence...just that, he had yet to experience the bitter defeat until now.
The more he watched these ‘constables’ do their work, the more he developed a sour taste in his mouth.
“...Forgive me, Miss.” Martial Kim whispered into the dark. Knowing he had done more than enough damage, the young master decided to part ways here and flew into the darkness. It was best, to leave the case in proper hands. “May the gods guide you to the killer, constables.”
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